HGMS Counseling Connection
September 2021
Welcome Back Gladiator Families!
This is the first edition of the 2021-2022 HGMS Counseling Department Newsletter- The Counseling Connection. We will send out a newsletter each nine week grading period with the hope of communicating activities, resources, and helpful tools to our Gladiator families. In this edition, you will find a bunch of information and resources such as Parent Q & A's, Key Counseling Components, club information, tips for middle school transition, upcoming events, and much more! Thank you so much for taking the time to read our newsletter!
Well, we have hit the ground running into the 2021-2022 school year! Summer went by in a flash, and before we knew it, the HGMS Counseling Department registered over 100 new families for the new school year, resulting in record-breaking enrollment. We have continued to stay busy in the counseling office making sure all 1511 students are in the correct classes, registering new families every week, and helping all students transition to being back at school.
The best part by far?...Seeing our students and hearing their chatter fill the hallways! We have already started to see students for Individual Counseling sessions and have started delivering grade level "Howdy" counseling guidance lessons. Small group counseling is up next!
We have missed our students so much and can't wait to reconnect with them as the year moves forward! We look forward to working with you this year!
Here's to a GREAT year! :)
Kind regards,
The HGMS Counseling Department
The First Day of School!
Meet the HGMS Counseling Department
Please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns! We are a team and any of us can help you! We're excited to work with you!
HGMS Parent Needs Assessment
Thank you so much in advance!
Leveling Classes Due to Enrollment- GARCIA Official Letter
So What Do School Counselors Do?
The 4 Components of the HGMS Counseling Program
- Counselors provide guidance content in a systematic way to ALL students.
- The purpose of guidance curriculum is to teach students skill development, awareness, and application of skills needed for everyday life.
- We teach 6-8 lessons per grade level each year based on skills needed for development.
- Lessons are typically taught to 2 classes at a time. Eighth graders will receive their lessons through Communication Applications/ MAPS classes; Sixth graders will receive their lessons through English Language Arts, advisory or SCE Classes; and seventh graders will receive their lessons through English Language Arts classes.
- Areas addressed are the 4 Skill Goals.
- Some examples of guidance lesson topics include: Drug Awareness, Cyber Safety, Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships, Goal-Setting, Dealing with Rumors & Gossip, and Academic Planning.
Responsive Services:
- Responsive Services address the immediate needs/ concerns of students.
- Consists of Individual Counseling, Small Group Counseling, and Crisis Counseling.
- The purpose of Responsive Services are to provide Intervention and Prevention.
- Areas addressed are academic concerns, abuse, grief/ loss, family issues, stress, and friendships.
- A campus needs assessment is used to determine student needs for various groups.
- Students can utilize the "Request to Speak to a Counselor Form" to schedule an appointment.
Individual Planning:
- Counselors assist students in monitoring and understanding their own development.
- The purpose of Individual Planning is student planning and goal-setting.
- Areas addressed are educational, career, and personal-social goals.
- Some examples include: Behavior contracts, grade conferencing, and interpreting test results.
System Support:
- Counselors manage the Comprehensive and Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program and staff support activities and services.
- The purpose of System Support is program delivery and support.
- Areas adressed are guidance program & development, parent education, teacher/ administration consultation, staff development, school improvement planning, counselor professional development, research, and community outreach.
- Some examples include: Counseling Advisory Committee, No Place for Hate, and the HGMS Kindness Club sponsor.
6th Graders meeting their counselor and learning about coping skills!
7th Graders did a great job participating in our Howdy Lessons!
Having a support system helps when times get tough!
Parent Counseling Preview
Office Assistant Spotlight
Aurora, 8th Grade
Cashon, 7th Grade
Zacari, 8th Grade
Gladiators of Great Character Awards
In Northside ISD, learning and success go far beyond test scores and accountability ratings. Northside's curriculum is based on six "Pillars of Character," developed by the Josephson Institute. The pillars are: Caring, Citizenship, Fairness, Responsibility, Respect, and Trustworthiness.
Congratulations to our first Gladiators of Great Character Award winners of the 2021-2022 school year! Thank you for being amazing role models to all students!
Middle School Transition
While most students are excited to start middle school, some students may be feeling nervous and apprehensive. Some common middle school concerns include: managing homework, meeting new friends, dressing out for PE, being bullied, and changing classes. With that said, it is important to keep the lines of communication open in talking to your child, especially in the first few weeks of school.
- Make yourself available to listen to your child- If your child wants to talk, make time for them and be present. Learn the times your child is most talkative and open to conversation.
- Listen to your child's concerns- If your child has a concern, listen to it and try not to minimize the concern. Help your child to figure out how to solve the issue or deal with it in order to move forward.
- Ask open-ended questions- By asking open-ended questions, it opens the doors for your child to speak in depth. Instead of asking, "How was school today, " state, "Tell me about your day."
- Pay attention to your child's nonverbal communication- Kids can't always verbalize their feelings, therefore, you need to pay attention to eating and sleeping patterns, moods, body language, and academic performance. These can all be helpful indicators of how things are going for your child at school or with friends.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
We can all help prevent suicide. Every year mental health organizations and individuals across the U.S. and around the world raise awareness of suicide prevention during September, National Suicide Prevention Month.
Ask
Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
Be There
Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.
Keep Them Safe
A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.
Help Them Stay Connected
Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.
Follow Up
Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.
Coping Skills on the Go!
Read further to learn more!
HGMS Virtual Counseling Office
Students can also request to speak to a counselor in Schoology by simply clicking a button and filling out a form. This will alert us immediately and we will be able to call in students faster. You can access the "Request to Speak to a Counselor" button below.
Interactive Coping Skills Bulletin Board
Fanny Pack Friday
Join us for Fanny Pack Friday starting Friday, September 24th and every Friday after that. We will showcase a new themed coping skill each Friday and students who participate will have the opportunity to win a "Coping Skill on the Go!"
Parents and students are encouraged to participate! You won't want to miss out!
Mrs. Stanley and a 6th Grade student sporting cool fanny packs!
"Be your Biggest Fan!"
Fanny packs are BACK!
HGMS Club Information
Kindness Club T-Shirt Order Form
Parent Q & A's
1. How can I access my child's grades?
You can access your child's grades through the Home Access Center (HAC). Scroll down below to find the link.
2. What is the process if my child has COVID and/or has to quarentine?
-Please contact the HGMS Nurse, Kathryn Cruz at kathryn.cruz@nisd.net to report any COVID symptoms or diagnosis.
-A district representative with contact with Remote Conferencing criteria.
-Counselors will help students transition back to school when they are able to return.
3. When can my child access academic coaching?
Students are encouraged to participate in academic coaching as much as they need. Please see schedule below.
4. If my child is absent, what do I need to do?
-If your child will be absent, you are welcome to email the teachers to let them know just as an FYI.
-When the student returns to school, you can provide a note and turn it in the the attendance office.
-Anything COVID related, please let the nurse know.
5. If I have an problem or concern in the classroom, what should I do?
Please see communication tree below. It's always important to communicate concerns with the classroom teacher first in an effort to resolve the issue.
Academic Coaching Schedules
Important Dates:
September 2nd & 3rd: 7th Grade Counseling Howdy Guidance Lesson #1
September 8th: Kindness Club Meeting #1 @ 8:00 AM in Library
September 9th & 10th: 8th Grade Counseling Howdy Guidance Lesson #1
September 22nd: Kindness Club Meeting #2 @ 8:00 AM in Library
September 24th: Fanny Pack Friday Kick Off Week 1
October 6th & 7th: 6th Grade Counseling Guidance Lesson #2
October 13th & 14th: 7th Grade Counseling Guidance Lesson #2
October 20th & 21st: 8th Grade Counseling Guidance Lesson #2
Clarity Child Guidance Center Events
- Body Image & Acceptance Girls Group Ages 12-17
- Trauma-Focused Teen Boys Group Ages 14-17
- Trauma-Focused Teen Girls Group Ages 14-17
- Group Music Therapy 6th- 8th Grade
- Adolescent Process Group Ages 14-17
- Social Skills Group 4th- 6th Grade
Counseling Facts & Figures
Resources
Do You Need High Speed Internet at Home?
HGMS 21-22 Bell Schedule
Home Access Center
To request a HAC account or report a problem, complete this online form and a technician will contact you via email or phone within two business days.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekcDWcg7A2sUMXdUpJ0bFpdjpo9G27o02S5IdWx2rdf44IzA/viewform
To login to HAC: